Elliptical machine recommendation's: is having incline necessary?

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40something

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I'm shopping around again for an elliptical. I'm really liking a lower end Precor but it doesn't do variable incline. I like the Precor because of the warranty and the foot pads being much closer together.

What ellipticals are you guys using, how long have you had them and have you had mechanical issues?

editing, my post got cut off before. I would also like to know if you have an elliptical with variable incline do you like it/use it and it's definitely a 'must have' option. I don't want to spend more on a machine with variable incline if it's really not that big of a deal.

TIA
 
I have a Precor and I love it! After much debate I finally decided to go with the EFX 5.23. I ended up getting it for the price of the next model down because they didn't have that one in stock.

We bought ours in August and so far we haven't had any problems at all, and I use it 2 or 3 times per week. I love having the adjustable incline, and would prefer that over the movable handlebars because I think you get a better workout by focusing on the larger muscle groups. It would be nice if you could get both options on the same machine but since you have to choose, I'd definitely go with the adjustable incline.

All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase and definitely feel it was worth the price.

ETA to answer your question about the incline. I use it all the time! Adjusting the incline allows you to focus on different muscle groups. At higher inclines the emphasis is placed on your glutes, the mid range works primarily the glutes, hams, and quads, and the lower end works the entire leg and glute area to include more of your calf.

Good luck and let us know what you decide:)
 
Thanks Michelle. The moveable handlebars I don't think I would use. I would find that too distracting. I've used exercise bikes that had those and I didn't like it. The ellipticals at the gym don't have handlebars either so I've never gotten in the habit of using them anyway.

I'm really leaning towards the Precor because they're really nice machines, and the warranty. I wish I could fall into a deal like you did though! That's great! :D
 
I just got a lifefitness x30 and LOVE it!!!!! There is no ramp or adjustable incline, but I find that that feature kind of turns it more into a stepper than an elliptical. I do have the arms and you can use them or you can just hold onto the handles that they have provided. The lifefitness is so easy on the joints and so quiet and it has some wonderful programs on it. I love the interval one. The thing that was most important to me was the tension and the lifefitness is kicking my butt with the amount of tension that you can use. It is also very easy on the lower back and the knees. I know most of the people love the precor and it is a good machine, but I personally and loving my lifefitness. Good luck with your decision making:)

Susan
 
Oh geez, Susan. Our treadmill is a LifeFitness and it's a great machine.

Now I'm torn!
 
We went with the precor EFX5.23 also and for my workouts the variable incline is a must. As far as the movable handlebars, I'm not fond of them. My emphasis for elliptical training is cardio; using primarily large muscles is key. If you are using the handle bars to assist, you are not getting maximum cardio benefit, because you are allowing the larger muscles to rest while the upper body takes over. A similar rest occurs with using the bar on a treadmill. UB work can be accomplished with numerous Cathe DVD's. And, by not using the upper body to assist in any way, the abs even get called into play to stabilize, especially with varied inclines .


Judy "Likes2bfit"


If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.



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I'm with you Susan...I love my LifeFitness elliptical. I actually like the moveable handlebars since they add to the aerobic activity and can really get that heart rate up (or if I'm not using the handlebar, I don't hold on at all, which is great for the core).
I would suggest you do what my husband and I did. We went and tried the different machines and made our choice from there (actually, my husband tried the different machines. I didn't need to since I had a gym membership and had already tried different ones). Different people like different things. For example, I could always get me heart rate higher and get a better workout on the LifeFitness compared to the Precor...everyone's different!

Good luck with your choice...whichever one you choose, I'm sure you will love it!

Becky
 
I have the lower end Precor with the crossramp. When I was shopping around I thought I wanted the one with the handle bars but was convinced by the salesman that the one with the crossramp was a better choice since I use it to supplement running, as in marathon training. At first I thought that the crossramp might be a gimmick because I couldn't feel any particular leg muscles more than others when adjusting the incline. However, when I used my elliptical 3 days after running a marathon that trashed my quads I discovered that when my Precor indicates that a particular incline hits the quads more it is not lying!
 
The store I'm shopping at has Precor on sale the month of February, 20% off. That's quite a deal and the warranty is really swaying me. I like the LifeFitness elliptical but the Precor seems to fit me better with the foot pads being closer, more of a natural stride for me and I'm not forced to keep my feet apart.

With the sale price it's a toss up between the brands. I hate making these decision's because I'll always second guess myself in the end.
 
You can't go wrong with a Precor. Precor was the first company to come out with an elliptical trainer so they really own the technology. You can't beat that discount, either! You'll love it...you will.
 
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